Jim Jordan (R OH-4) On The Democrat Lard Act of 2009

February 3, 2009 News, The Economy, U.S. House View Comments

Here is the replay that I received from Congressman Jim Jordan (R OH-4) about the Democrat Lard Bill Act of 2009…

Thank you for contacting me about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This bill was introduced by Representative David Obey [D-WI-7] on January 26, 2009 and passed the House two days later. This legislation, which is now undergoing further consideration in the U.S. Senate, contains a combination of spending increases and tax changes with a price tag to the taxpayers of over $800 billion.

Some would argue that spending tax dollars on direct payments to citizens or investments in transportation and infrastructure can stimulate economic activity in the private sector. However, it is important to point out that only 4% of the spending in this bill would be on infrastructure. Only 5% would be on so-called “green jobs,” another stated goal of the stimulus bill. The vast majority of the spending is unrelated to economic stimulus. Such spending includes $650 million to help with the transition to digital TV, $50 million to the National Endowment of the Arts, $44 million to renovate the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters, and $400 million for unspecified “National Treasures”. There are billions of dollars set aside to purchase a new fleet of automobiles for the federal government, and there is money allocated to buy new computers and furniture for federal agencies.

Most would have to admit that the above-noted spending items will do little to put money into the pockets of taxpayers, which is what I would consider to be a critical component of an economic stimulus plan. The total cost of this bill is nearly as much as the annual discretionary budget for the entire federal government. Even if the bill does create the 3 million jobs the incoming administration suggests it will, the bill will cost taxpayers $275,000 per job created.

For these reasons, I voted against the bill, and I suspect these were among the reasons that every Congressional Republican and several Congressional Democrats voted against it as well.

In an effort to quickly move the massive spending bill through the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and her leadership team refused to allow debate or a vote on an alternative stimulus proposal, of which I am the lead cosponsor. Our plan didn’t have the unnecessary spending on federal government employees. Instead, it would cut taxes for middle class Americans and small business owners, and would change the tax code to provide better incentives for businesses to invest and create jobs in the private sector.

I am convinced that simply “spending more” is not the answer to our economic troubles. The big-spenders in Congress have spent our tax dollars at an unprecedented rate over the past year, on everything from boondoggle bailouts to Wall Street handouts. As a fiscal conservative, I believe our first step should be fiscal responsibility. We should keep taxes low, eliminate government waste, and resist the urge to think that government programs are the best way to help grow our economy.

I will pay close attention to how this issue develops under the new administration. I will continue to fight for fiscally responsible policies and not support any legislation that wastes the taxpayers’ money. In the meantime, I hope you will find this information helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any other concerns or questions you may have.

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